Due to high demand, we are celebrating the genius of Madvillainy with a highly sought-after second night.

 London’s finest emerging jazz talent tackle one of the most iconic albums of the last 20 years, featuring samples from the likes of Sun Ra, Lonnie Smith, Freddie Hubbard and more. 

American hip-hop duo, Madvillain, earned critical acclaim and cult popularity from their one and only album, Madvillainy. It became widely regarded as one of the greatest rap albums of all time and a benchmark record for alternative hip-hop.

Join us as we bask in the combined brilliance of MF DOOM and Madlib with Daniele Diodato and Nicola Guida.

Line up:

Dani Diodato
Nicola Guida
Jay Phelps
Callum Connell
Jack Robson
Immanuel Simelane
Mandeep

The mighty Jazz Jamaica have rightly earned their reputation as “one of the UK’s leading good-time bands” (The Independent) from their many exuberant live performances and dynamic album releases over the past two decades. As the Cheltenham International Jazz Festival put it, “Jazz Jamaica should be permanent ambassadors to the United Nations of Good Times”.

In 1991, inspired by the rhythms of traditional Jamaican music and the largely improvisational nature of jazz, original Jazz Warrior and veteran jazz double bassist, Gary Crosby, turned a musical concept into a joyful reality. Crosby’s concept was to create a quintessential fusion of mento, ska, reggae and jazz, playing classic and modern jazz standards alongside Jamaican folksongs. The result was Jazz Jamaica.

Since its realisation, Crosby has developed the Jazz Jamaica concept by introducing a stream of talented young jazz musicians, so increasing the size of the pool of Jazz Jamaicans, and enabling him to push the boundaries of the music played. Collectively, Crosby and his musicians represent the finest exponents of this unique musical fusion known as skazz, a fusion loved and appreciated by everyone, of all ages and colours around the globe. In 2002, Jazz Jamaica All Stars were winners of the BBC Radio Jazz Award for Best Band.

We are coming together for the fourth and final time at Jazz Cafe with the incredible Souls Of Mischief.

After three consecutive sell-out shows, we welcome one of the most important hip-hop groups to emerge from the Golden Age in the early 90s for a final time. It’s no exaggeration to say that Souls Of Mischief stand on the same level as A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul in terms of their legacy and influence. 

93 ‘Til Infinity is still one of the most loved and most played hip-hop LPs around, and the group have proved their staying power with their record, There Is Only Now, featuring guest appearances from the likes of Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg.

This is your last chance to catch such globally loved acts in such an intimate setting as the Jazz Cafe, as we celebrate 30 iconic years of 93 ‘Til Infinity.

Brighton record label, Tru Thoughts, is back and this time brings us a plateau of talented new signees and curators who have been conquering all corners of the jazz, hip-hop and soul scene.

Ebi Soda

Only thing that comes to mind when you blend jazz, hip-hop, and no-wave post-punk is Ebi Soda. They are characterized by their use of trombones, drum breaks, electronic soundscapes, breakbeats, and sensual basslines. Formed in the seaside town of Brighton, Ebi Soda keeps a post-punk DIY ethic close to their hearts, with songs often birthed from sweaty smokey university bedrooms rather than that of the big band hall.

Bryony Jarman-Pinto

Raised in a musical family she grew up around a community of people dedicated to the arts. Picking up various instruments and developing her sound over the years, her debut album ‘Cage & Aviary’ spoke to a sophisticated sound of jazz, soul and folk.

Steven Bamidele

Tru Thoughts’ most recent signing returns to the Jazz Cafe after supporting Marlon Craft in 2022. With influences ranging from Marvin Gaye and Radiohead to Lianne La Havas and Solange, Steven crafts his own unique and intricate sound, combining synth textures, syncopated beats, and reverb-drenched falsetto to create psychedelic forward-thinking soul.

We are coming together for the fourth and final time at Jazz Cafe with the incredible Souls Of Mischief.

After three consecutive sell-out shows, we welcome one of the most important hip-hop groups to emerge from the Golden Age in the early 90s for a final time. It’s no exaggeration to say that Souls Of Mischief stand on the same level as A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul in terms of their legacy and influence. 

93 ‘Til Infinity is still one of the most loved and most played hip-hop LPs around, and the group have proved their staying power with their record, There Is Only Now, featuring guest appearances from the likes of Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg.

This is your last chance to catch such globally loved acts in such an intimate setting as the Jazz Cafe, as we celebrate 30 iconic years of 93 ‘Til Infinity.

We are coming together for the fourth and final time at Jazz Cafe with the incredible Souls Of Mischief.

After three consecutive sell-out shows, we welcome one of the most important hip-hop groups to emerge from the Golden Age in the early 90s for a final time. It’s no exaggeration to say that Souls Of Mischief stand on the same level as A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul in terms of their legacy and influence.

93 ‘Til Infinity is still one of the most loved and most played hip-hop LPs around, and the group have proved their staying power with their record, There Is Only Now, featuring guest appearances from the likes of Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg.

This is your last chance to catch such globally loved acts in such an intimate setting as the Jazz Cafe, as we celebrate 30 iconic years of 93 ‘Til Infinity.

We are coming together for the fourth and final time at Jazz Cafe with the incredible Souls Of Mischief.

After three consecutive sell-out shows, we welcome one of the most important hip-hop groups to emerge from the Golden Age in the early 90s for a final time. It’s no exaggeration to say that Souls Of Mischief stand on the same level as A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul in terms of their legacy and influence.

93 ‘Til Infinity is still one of the most loved and most played hip-hop LPs around, and the group have proved their staying power with their record, There Is Only Now, featuring guest appearances from the likes of Busta Rhymes and Snoop Dogg.

This is your last chance to catch such globally loved acts in such an intimate setting as the Jazz Cafe, as we celebrate 30 iconic years of 93 ‘Til Infinity.

Cameroonian superstar bassist Richard Bona returns to play two exclusive dates at The Jazz Cafe in 2023.

Born and raised in Cameroon, Bona arrived in New York in the mid-’90s and wowed crowds with his unique sound and presence. Some even outrageously hinted that Bona was the second coming of Jaco Pastorius.

But even though he recorded with the Jaco Pastorius Big Band project, he soon rebuffed the comparisons and showed his own true voice with his impressive Scenes From My Life debut album in 1999. The year earlier he was enlisted to be the musical director for Harry Belafonte’s European tour and in 2002 toured the world as a member of the Pat Metheny Group. His latest project is his spirited Afro-Cuban group Mandekan Cubano which melds together a variety of roots music, from Africa, South America and of course Cuba. Bona’s six-piece band includes two percussionists making this celebration ripple and soar.

Originally from Cameroon, Bona remains true to his roots, with African rhythms reflected in each of his seven albums; the first three, Scenes from My Life, Reverence and Munia display his unique approach to storytelling through sounds. Seeking inspiration from his origins, the themes of Bona’s albums address international issues which mirror his desire of using music to take a stance on issues affecting the oppressed.

Cameroonian superstar bassist Richard Bona returns to play two exclusive dates at The Jazz Cafe in 2023.

Born and raised in Cameroon, Bona arrived in New York in the mid-’90s and wowed crowds with his unique sound and presence. Some even outrageously hinted that Bona was the second coming of Jaco Pastorius.

But even though he recorded with the Jaco Pastorius Big Band project, he soon rebuffed the comparisons and showed his own true voice with his impressive Scenes From My Life debut album in 1999. The year earlier he was enlisted to be the musical director for Harry Belafonte’s European tour and in 2002 toured the world as a member of the Pat Metheny Group. His latest project is his spirited Afro-Cuban group Mandekan Cubano which melds together a variety of roots music, from Africa, South America and of course Cuba. Bona’s six-piece band includes two percussionists making this celebration ripple and soar.

Originally from Cameroon, Bona remains true to his roots, with African rhythms reflected in each of his seven albums; the first three, Scenes from My Life, Reverence and Munia display his unique approach to storytelling through sounds. Seeking inspiration from his origins, the themes of Bona’s albums address international issues which mirror his desire of using music to take a stance on issues affecting the oppressed.

The multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer is hailed as one of his generation’s most important jazz musicians.

Rosenwinkel is a natural innovator, steeped in the rich and deep traditions of jazz whilst keeping his eyes firmly towards evolving his own art. His music is deeply melodic and accessible while simultaneously working at the highest levels of music. Such unabated individualism is what stands him out as his generation’s pre-eminent jazz guitar voice.

His aesthetic vision and the multi-genre facility have caught the ear of some of music’s most prominent stars. Collaborations with Eric Clapton, Q-tip, Gary Burton, Paul Motian, Joe Henderson, Brad Mehldau, and Donald Fagen are but a few highlights from a remarkably diverse and extensive catalogue of over 150 sideman recordings.

Kurt Rosenwinkel: Guitar

Aaron Parks: Piano

Doug Weiss: Double Bass

Greg Hutchinson: Drums

After a sell-out Jazz Cafe performance, Sungazer returns with their unique blend of hard-hitting Jazz Fusion, 8-bit, Progressive Rock and Electronic Music, this time heading to Heaven, Charing Cross.

They take focus on exploring the human element of improvisation within the context of modern electronic music. Exciting, hard-hitting, and never predictable, Sungazer creates music aimed straight ahead into the 21st century. They released their sophomore EP entitled Sungazer, Vol. 2 in 2019.

On October 11, 2021, they released their debut full-length album, Perihelion. The long-awaited debut LP explores time and the liminal spaces between jazz improvisation and modern electronic music aesthetics. The album was co-produced and mixed by Simon Grove (Plini, Protest The Hero, Intervals) and features an eclectic cast of guest musicians including Joshua de la Victoria, Hannah Sumner, Jae Soto, Tom Monda (Thank You Scientist), Shubh Saran, Jared Yee, Christian Li, Zac Zinger, Brian Plautz (Aberdeen), Brian Krock (Big Heart Machine) and the Resonance Collective.

Charismatic and dynamic saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s electric stage presence and fiery sax work have shared stages with Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, Macy Gray and many others, bringing the soul and funk up to a fever pitch in a show that’s guaranteed to keep crowds dancing day or night.

Voted by the 2020 Downbeat Critics Poll Rising star Alto Saxophonist and Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional conceptions of jazz, hip-hop, and soul.

Benjamin pays homage to those who have come before by featuring innovative bandleaders of her generation, such as Reggie Workman (Coproducer and playing ), Ron Carter, Gary Bartz, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Meshell Ndegecello, Regina Carter, Bertha Hope, Last poets, Greg Osby, Steve Wilson, John Benitez, Marc Cary, Marcus Gilmore, Keyon Harrold, Marcus Strickland, Brandee Younger, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Jazzmeia Horn.

“Couch is kicking it old school with a delightful, modern twist… [They] are single – or seven-handedly – breathing new life into the pop scene.” – Sheesh Media

Boston-based band Couch infuses pop with funk, rock, and R&B/soul. Their vibrant sound is further defined by the members’ backgrounds in jazz, a cappella, and musical theatre.

Until Spring 2021, Couch members were scattered across the country at various universities; they tackled the challenges of being a “long-distance” band, writing and even recording virtually for three years. Despite these challenges, they celebrated the release of their debut EP, “COUCH”, in February 2021 as well as three new singles and a 20-city headline tour in 2022.

The band injects each track with their signature flavor: expressive horns, warm vocals, and bubbling synths—crafting an oasis of joy for musicians and non-musicians alike.